Category Archives: Beginners/Elementary Level

Just Added: “Listen & Sign” Game Printable

By joy (admin) | Published: 4 August 2010
Just added to the Printables page: “Listen & Sign” Game Printable This printable corresponds to the game originally described in this post – a game I used in a Piano Mini-Camp held about a month ago. This game is a nice and quiet game – but still loads of fun! – for students to play. [...]
Also posted in By Student's Level, Games, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Other Resources, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Topics in Teaching Piano, ear training, piano camps, printables | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music Theory at our Piano Mini-Camp (3/3)

By joy (admin) | Published: 26 July 2010
In continuation of a description of the music theory activities at our Piano Mini-Camp a few weeks ago, here are more details concerning the activities we used: Rhythm Dictation Game This rhythm dictation game by Natalie was a real hit with the students!  I printed off two sets of cards and put the students into [...]
Also posted in By Student's Level, Games, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Other Resources, Rhythm, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Subjects, Topics in Teaching Piano, ear training, music theory, piano camps, printables | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music Theory at our Piano Mini-Camp (2/3)

By joy (admin) | Published: 23 July 2010
In continuation of the series about music theory at our piano mini-camp, here are the descriptions of a few more of the activities we did: Music Adventures Board Game In my music theory classes, one of my goals was to cover as many areas within the broad scope of “music theory” as I could.  The [...]
Also posted in Games, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Other Resources, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Subjects, Topics in Teaching Piano, music theory, piano camps, printables | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Music Theory at our Piano Mini-Camp (1/3)

By joy (admin) | Published: 22 July 2010
As promised, here’s more about the Music Theory classes at our Piano Mini-Camp a few weeks ago.  I didn’t create formal lesson plans per-se, but the next three posts will serve as a general outline of the activities we did over each of the three camp days. Gem Notes on the Keyboard & Staff Using [...]
Also posted in By Student's Level, Games, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Subjects, Topics in Teaching Piano, music theory, piano camps | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Improvisation Yields Creativity and Musical Understanding

By joy (admin) | Published: 9 July 2010
The benefits of including improvisation activities in piano lessons. The freedom to explore and be creative. Discovering musical concepts on your own. Developing your musical ear. Playing by ear. Composing an original composition.
Also posted in By Student's Level, Composition, For During the Lesson, Ideas, Improving as a Teacher, Improvisation, My Students, Topics in Teaching Piano | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Bench Height: Try Little Pillows for Little Students

By joy (admin) | Published: 2 July 2010
Just thought I’d share my recent find.  One again, I’ll admit, I found another treasure at the dollar store.  (Does anyone else love dollar stores as much as I do?) It might not seem like much, but I see great potential in this little blue pillow.  My little student won’t have to sit on a [...]
Also posted in By Student's Level, Improving as a Teacher, Topics in Teaching Piano, technique | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Teaching Music Theory: Our Responsibility

By joy (admin) | Published: 24 June 2010
This article talks about why integrating a music theory component is important for teaching private lessons in piano or any musical instrument. It is our responsibility as music teachers to give our students a well-rounded education in the area of music - including theory.
Also posted in Advanced Level, By Student's Level, Improving as a Teacher, Intermediate Level, Topics in Teaching Piano, music theory | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fun tip

By joy (admin) | Published: 28 May 2010
Today I just thought I’d share a fun little tip I learned from one of my students this week!  Yes, you read that right: she taught me.  =)  She is a young beginner student, just learning how to read music on the staff.  She informed me that she came up with a way for remembering [...]
Also posted in By Student's Level, For During the Lesson, Ideas, My Students, inspiration | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A New Adult Student Book on the Market: “Returning to the Piano” by Wendy Stevens

By joy (admin) | Published: 30 April 2010
Check out this announcement at the ComposeCreate.com blog: Wendy Stevens has written a new adult piano book entitled: Returning to the Piano: A Refresher Book for Adults.  I often have a hard time deciding what adult method to use with my adult students.  Especially when they aren’t true beginners and have had previous experience with [...]
Also posted in By Student's Level, Repertoire/Method Books, Resources / Links, Topics in Teaching Piano | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Just added: Performing at the Piano Worksheet

By joy (admin) | Published: 29 April 2010
Just added: a new free, printable worksheet called: >  Performing at the Piano Worksheet Just in time for the spring recital season, this fill-in-the-blank worksheet is intended to help prepare students for an upcoming recital or other performance by discussing stage presence and performance etiquette. Terms/concepts covered in the worksheet: Memorizing Applause Bowing Checking the [...]
Also posted in Advanced Level, By Student's Level, For During the Lesson, Ideas, Intermediate Level, Memorization, Recitals / Performances, Studio Class / Group Lessons, Topics in Teaching Piano, printables, worksheets | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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